Estádio José Pinheiro Borda, better known as Estádio Beira-Rio (Portuguese pronunciation: , Riverbank Stadium) due to its location beside the Guaíba River, is a football stadium in Porto Alegre, Brazil. It serves as the home stadium for Sport Club Internacional. It is named after José Pinheiro Borda, an elderly Portuguese engineer who supervised the building of the stadium but died before seeing its completion.

Record Attendance 106.554 (Rio Grande do Sul All-Stars team 3 x 3 Brazil's national team, in June 17, 1972)

History

In 1956, councilman Ephraim Pinheiro Cabral presented a document to the government that included a donation of part of the Guaíba, to be reclaimed for Sport Club Internacional.

Estádio Beira-Rio was constructed with the help of the club's enthusiasts and supporters. They contributed bringing bricks, concrete and iron.

During the sixties, Estádio Beira-Rio was ironically called "Bóia Cativa", since it seemed that never it would be concluded, especially since those were difficult times for Internacional on the field.

The stadium's debut was played on April 6, 1969, when Internacional beat Portugal's Benfica 2–1. The first goal ever scored in the stadium was done by Internacional's Claudiomiro.

Present Situation

Beira-Rio is the biggest stadium in the Rio Grande do Sul state and also South Brazil. Recently, the stadium's field was chosen as the best in an election by captains of the 20 teams that participate in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. The Beira-Rio complex also houses a chapel, an events center, bars, stores and a parking lot for 3,000 cars. Parque Gigante, featuring pools, gyms, soccer fields, and tennis courts, is located next to it.

Improvement and restoration

The stadium is about to undergo restoration and developments that would make it fit to host matches during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Internacional has a project of restoration and improvement of Beira-Rio complex named 'Gigante Para Sempre'(Giant Forever). The stadium will be adapted to an international standard, ready to host any national or international game.

Parking

For the convenience of the public who frequent games, concerts, stores, and restaurants at the complex, a parking building will be constructed with a lower height than the trees. This will reduce the impact on the garden landscape. On the other side of the complex there will be another parking lot beneath the promenade.

Supplementary Fields

The supplementary fields, used for training of the professional and young team, will have a new arrangement. New fields and courts will be constructed.

Bleachers

The under bleachers will be modified, the current will be demolished and the new one will be closer to the field. The costruction of new cabins is already underway.